蒟蒻薯 ju ruo shu

Leontice leontopetaloides Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 313. 1753; Tacca gaogao Blanco; T. hawaiiensis H. Limpricht; T. involucrata Schumacher & Thonning; T. pinnatifida J. R. Forster & G. Forster.

Tubers globose to broadly ellipsoid-globose; cork dark gray to brown; transverse section white. Leaf blade broadly obovate, ovate, or oblong-ovate, palmately 3-lobed; lobes pinnately lobed. Involucral bracts 4--12; umbel 20--40 flowered. Bracteoles to 25 cm. Perianth pale yellow, pale yellowish green, or dark purplish green; outer lobes elliptic to ovoid, inner ones broadly to narrowly ovate. Berry drooping, globose, ellipsoid-globose, or ovoid-globose. Seeds many, flattened globose; testa spongy.

Cultivated. Taiwan [native to Africa, S and SE Asia, N Australia, and S Pacific Islands].

A source of starch.